Grangeville Cemetery hosts annual raising of 1,000 Veterans Family flags on Memorial Day

The colorful and patriotic event was lost to the pandemic in 2020. Still, the Marines made up by erecting 16 new flags last year and plan for the additional family flags to be flown this year, says Glenn Hatfield, commander of Kings County Marine League, detachment 455, Kings County, the main organization in charge of the event. Nearly 1,000 American flags adorned the avenues of the Grangeville Cemetery Monday morning.

The families of veterans who died during the year purchase flags, and the family, in turn, offers the flag to the League for labeling, posting, and storage during the year, ready for the next year, Hatfield said.

The memorable display in the Grangeville Cemetery is only one of the visual treats for the crowd attending. A special patriotic loudspeaker address by an area veteran is accompanied by special music and a Marine rifle squad salute.    

Contact the Marine League at 559.925-8027 for information on how to claim a family flag and how to volunteer to help next year, Hatfield added.

Photos by Gary Feinstein/Feinsteinfotos

Drivers navigate the roadway past flags.

Rob Bentley, a music teacher from Liberty Middle School, plays taps.

Members of the Marine Corps League Kings County Detachment 455 march with service flags.